Expatriots/relocating to a LA country

[pablo]

I was curious if many men here at P-L have decided to move to a Latin American country.  Every time I have been to LA country I have wished that my stay could have been longer, so much so that I have given serious thought to moving.  Not only do I appreciate the women there but also the culture.  I have traveled to Mexico, Costa Rica, and Colombia and hopefully, later this year to Chile.  I see a huge advantage in being able to live in LA, rather than the occasional/or frequent trip to them.  Language proficiency, having more time to develop relationships, and dollar going further are all pluses.  It would be great to hear some insights on where men have relocated and what their experiences were.  Do you mind sharing gentlemen?  Thanks.

[Hamlet]

... in response to Expatriots/relocating to a LA country, posted by pablo on Jan 23, 2003

Pablo,

Nicaragua is a great place.  I spent almost two months there last year and I enjoyed it greatly.  More and more foreigners are moving there.  Some are calling it the next Costa Rica.

If you choose the right city (i.e. not Managua) it is safe, the people are friendly, it is very cheap and there is a lot of natural beauty.

You can get a domestic there for $50 a month, and a good meal is just a few dollars.  If you want a wife, Nicas have a good reputation for loyalty and fidelty.

Hamlet

[andre smith]

... in response to Expatriots/relocating to a LA country, posted by pablo on Jan 23, 2003

Please tell us about your future trip to CHILE

[pablo]

... in response to Re: Expatriots/relocating to a LA countr..., posted by andre smith on Jan 24, 2003

Andre,

I'd be happy to do a trip report after returning from Chile in a few months.  I wanted to make it for their summer (happening now) but will wait until their autumn, maybe just in time for the wine crush!  

I've been thinking about going to Chile for various reasons.  Reading archived posts here at P-L, searching out related articles on the net, correspondence with DenverMike, and my niece spending a year in Chile, all have contributed to my interest in checking this country out.  Besides a nice place to look for Latinas, it is also a very beautiful country and is much safer than Colombia.  One drawback is the distance but I don't think this should stop me, especially if I am interested in possibly relocating there in the future.  

I found a few interesting web sites, a business venture catering to tourism with lots of great photos, and an archived article from World Magazine.  If interested:

http://www.travelart.cl/english/the-company/the-company.phtml

http://www.worldmag.com/world/issue/11-09-02/

and lots of good information at:

http://www.escapeartist.com/chile/caliente.htm

[Traveller]

... in response to Expatriots/relocating to a LA country, posted by pablo on Jan 23, 2003

I don't know, I like living down here. Getting dengue fever kinda sucks, but other than that, it's been cool. Ain't been kidnapped or anything, so that's a plus. Immigration is a beeeaaatttccchhhh, but it isn't impossible. If you have all your paperwork in order before you submit it, to whichever consulate you are going to use, it should be a breeze.
The peso currently is sitting at 3002.90 pesos per US dollar. That's great if you make American dollars in your business.
Direct TV offers NFL pass for 9,000 pesos for the season. ESPN shows the Superbowl.
World is good, I can't complain.

[Michael B]

... in response to Re: Expatriots/relocating to a LA countr..., posted by Traveller on Jan 23, 2003

Oh, wait, it was a hoax, nevermind.

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Expatriots/relocating to a LA countr..., posted by Traveller on Jan 23, 2003

Keith,
Are you back in Colombia?Was the Equador thing to play the visa rules?Did you ever get to Guayaquil?Whats the minimum income needed to live a decent but not luxurious lifestyle?
I get the impression you are being pretty carefull with your money to get by.

Pete

[Traveller]

... in response to Where are you now?, posted by Pete E on Jan 23, 2003

Actually, I live pretty well, considering.
My apartment is 2 bedrooms, three bathrooms, good size living room, big patio, kitchen with fridge and armed security for 450,000 pesos a month. I live in strata 6 and my utility bill is never exactly the same, but plan on at least 150,000 for utilities in a 6 neighborhood. Food, is pretty cheap if you walk yourself down to the market. I don't know, if I had to, I guess I could get along with 1,750,000 pesos a month. But you know me, I like my beer.
Yeah, I was down in Ecuador getting my VISA. I just have to get an updated business license in my name and I'm in.

[corv]

... in response to Expatriots/relocating to a LA country, posted by pablo on Jan 23, 2003

The time I've spent in Rio I've met many ex-pats living there. For the most part they rent apartments to other americans, own "real" buses that drive up and down the strip, do tours for other americans, and one I met even owns a therma. The problem ,I think it would be the same in most LA countries, americans would have to fly under the radar. If an american is doing well everyone knows about it and everyone wants a cut police,mafia,political, and street-thugs. Not knowing the system very well, like you would know it here, your not sure what to do, who to pay and who is a joke.

[Golden]

... in response to Expatriots/relocating to a LA country, posted by pablo on Jan 23, 2003

I have thought about it a lot, but I dont know what the hell i would do to make money. I think it would be hard for me to find work there. I have a nest egg, but that would last about 2-3 years and then I would be broke. I dont speak spanish good enough to work there and there is not enough jobs in Peru. (Costa Rica sounds good though) I thought about changing my profession since my wife is a Dentist, I could work with her and help her open up an office there. I could work as an assistant or hygienist. She likes that idea ALOT. ha ha ha of course, because she would be with her family and I would be there too. I think best thing for now though is to hang tight for a while, learn more spanish, save more money. Once I help my wife get through Dental School here, and she works a while, I think we can save enough money to move. Im  Im young, so I have time. I Dont know, I just have to keep playing with the idea.

[david hagar]

... in response to Re: Expatriots/relocating to a LA countr..., posted by Golden on Jan 23, 2003

do you live in Detroit

Beattledog

[Ralph]

... in response to Expatriots/relocating to a LA country, posted by pablo on Jan 23, 2003

I am currently living in the Dominican Republic. I am not sure if it will be permanent, but after getting laid off 2 times in 6 months, and having my novia living here, it seemed like a good way to live inexpensively and spend as much time with her as possible.

I could make a list of things I love about living here, and I can also make a list of things I hate about living here. The interesting thing is, the lists would be VERY similar! It just depends on my mood or frame of mind.

For instance, I love the idea of practicing spanish pretty much  24-7, but after not speaking any english in weeks, I go nuts! I then go to the ebach and hang out at an ex pat's type bar and get to shoot the breeze in english. Of course my novia doesn't enjoy it as much;-)

I also like the fact that everything is very laid back. Nobody is in a rush etc. After working very hard and being extremely busy etc, it is refreshing. Then. . . . . . .when I need service at a restaurant, or from the phone company, the fact that nobody rushes over anything drives me nuts!

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask!

[Patrick]

... in response to Re: Expatriots/relocating to a LA countr..., posted by Ralph on Jan 23, 2003

I've always figured I'd want five things in a location if I were to move-

1) Reasonable security
2) Good bilingual school for children
2) High speed internet access
3) Satelite (English) TV
4) Golf course
5) Low cost of living

How's DR for these things?

[Ralph]

... in response to Specific questions, posted by Patrick on Jan 23, 2003

I live in a less than "ritzy" neighborhood and have never felt unsafe. I think if I had a nice house without a watchman etc, I might be more of a "target". Burglarizing houses, I have heard of. Violent crime against foreigners is practically non existent.

There are plenty of good private schools that are bilingual. I am not in need of that yet as my novia has a 6 year old son, and I have no kids of my own. It is not imperative for him to be bilingual . . . .yet.

As stated above my neighborhood is far from ritzy but I am typing this on ADSL. The DR, reportedly has among the most advanced telecommunications capabilities in LA. The phone company can be a pain to deal with though.

There are plenty of Golf courses, but not in Santo Domingo. More in the resort areas. You might be more interested in the north coast as that is more of a tourist destination and haven for ex pats etc. On the southern part of the Island there are also golf courses in areas such as Juan Dolio, Punta Cana and the La Romana/Casa De Campo area.

Actually a few weeks ago former presidents Carter and Clinton were both vacationing in Casa De Campo. Shakira has a home there I believe, Julio and enrique Iglesias, Oscar de La renta etc.

Low cost of living depends on how you plan to live. Some things higher, some things lower etc. If you are planning to live luxuriously, you would need a bigger pension or "nest egg". OTOH, maids, nannys, 24 hr security guards etc cost next to nothing.

I have only been here a short while and some days I love it and  some I hate it. If I were to retire here and not need to be in santo Domingo, I would look into more of a beach area that is cheaper to live. I can get you some links on real estate on the north coast. Some very nice homes near the beach for affordable prices etc.

[Patrick]

... in response to Re: Specific questions, posted by Ralph on Jan 23, 2003

Thanks for the info.  I'm in no hurry since I wouldn't walk away from my job.  The salary and insurance are way too much of a security blanket to leave behind at this point in my career.  After this job ends I'd be interested in looking into moving to another country.

I was looking into Mexico recently and found another forum on a site at http://www.mexconnect.com/forumsindex.html
Interestingly, I found an occassional poster from P-L active there (Randy from Los Altos).

One down side in Mexico is that it appears that starting a business is tough.  I believe from what I've read that there's a rule in Mexico that native Mexicans have to do the work in the business.  Unless you're married to a Mexican citizen, this could be a major downside for a sole proprietorship type business where the owner does all the work.  I was thinking of opening a computer shop.

If we do end up moving out of country some day, it'll have to be to some place that's good for raising a child.  I actually think many areas in Latin America may be better in some respects than the US, but security and good education are going to be over-riding concerns for us.  Some friends of ours are going to retire to Barranquilla in a few years, but I think Colombia definitely will be out of the question for us.  I like Mexico because I've talked to people who've made the move and have heard good things about both security and bilingual schools.

Anybody would be well advised to test the waters before jumping in I think.  I've read about quite a few people on the Mexconnect forum that moved down with unrealistic expectations and then moved back.  We'd definitely rent for quite a while anywhere.